WNBA All-Star Weekend Kicks Off in Chicago with Record-Setting 3-Point Contest

(WS News) – Chicago is hosting the WNBA’s 30th-anniversary All-Star Weekend, and Friday night’s State Farm 3-Point Contest and Kia Shooting Stars competition at Wintrust Arena set the stage for Saturday’s marquee showcase at the United Center.

The 3-Point Contest field brought together six of the league’s sharpest shooters, headlined by Atlanta Dream veteran Rhyne Howard, a four-time All-Star making her second appearance in the event, and Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey, the league leader in made three-pointers this season with 82. Rounding out the six-player lineup were Dallas Wings rookie sensation Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, along with Bridget Carleton of the Chicago Fire, Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm, and Janelle Salaün of the Golden State Valkyries. With only Howard and Mabrey having prior contest experience, Friday’s event guaranteed a first-time champion.

Sharing the spotlight was the newly introduced Kia Shooting Stars competition, which replaced the traditional Skills Challenge this year. The event paired four teams, each combining a current WNBA player, a league legend, and a rising high school talent from the Nike EYBL circuit. Basketball Hall of Famers Elena Delle Donne, Lauren Jackson, Rebekkah Brunson, and Deanna Nolan headlined the four squads, representing the Minnesota, Seattle, Washington, and Dallas/Detroit markets in what the league billed as a showcase spanning three generations of women’s basketball.

The festivities continue Saturday with the 22nd WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center, marking the second time Chicago has hosted the league’s midseason showcase since 2022. Alongside the on-court action, the city is also home to WNBA Live at McCormick Place, a three-day fan festival celebrating the league’s growth and its intersection with fashion, music, and culture as the WNBA marks three decades since its founding.